A London heatwave is unbearable. The city is built for cold, damp weather and perpetual gloom. So when the temperatures soar, even savvy Londoners don’t know where to turn to keep cool.
Here are some frugal ideas that don’t involve buying an overpriced Dyson fan or sitting in a garden paddling pool.
1. Go on an Air-Conditioned Shopping Expedition
This tip came from a Kuwaiti woman I chatted to in Covent Garden. She said summer temperatures in Kuwait surpass 60°C—and everything, from shopping malls to mosques, is gloriously air-conditioned. So head to Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush, where it’s cool, vast and breezy. Have an iced latte at Läderach or Ole & Steen (both near the Atrium), then try not to buy anything unless it’s 70% off.
-
Westfield London, Ariel Way, London W12 7GF
-
020 3371 2300
-
Free entry. Coffee from £3.50.
2. Go Wild Swimming at Richmond Lakes
Also known as Petersham & Thames Young Mariners, this tucked-away spot near Ham in Richmond is one of the few places to enjoy proper wild swimming. Bring a cool bag and something cold to drink.
-
Thames Young Mariners, Riverside Dr, Richmond TW10 7RX
-
020 8891 7537
-
Entry approx. £6 (book in advance for open water sessions).
3. Take Your Laptop to the National Theatre
One of the best free office spaces in the capital. The National Theatre has plentiful tables, strong air-con, fast WiFi, and no side-eye if you nurse an elderflower pressé for hours. Bonus points: pop-up summer bars and food stalls outside, plus unbeatable river views. This spot is the perfect antidote to a London heatwave.
-
Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
-
020 7452 3000
-
Entry free; drinks from £3.50.
4. Let the Concrete Protect You from a London Heatwave – Look at Modern Art at the Tate
Concrete, clean, cool. Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall feels like a stylish aircraft hangar—ideal when you’ve lost the will to function. Great toilets too.
-
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
-
020 7887 8888
-
Free entry; suggested donation £5. Exhibitions extra.
5. Survive a London Heatwave by Sitting and Reflecting in a Church
Churches have their own microclimates—cool, dim, and ever so slightly musty. Pop into St Martin-in-the-Fields, just off Trafalgar Square. The café in the crypt is a peaceful hideaway, and the shaded courtyard is ideal for a quiet sit-down.
-
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JH
-
020 7766 1100
-
Free entry; café mains from £9.50.
6. Go to an Air-Conditioned Cinema
Old-school air conditioning and lights-down escapism. Regent Street Cinema has over-55 screenings on Mondays for just £5.50. The Barbican also offers £6 tickets and a senior screening with a great deal on coffee and cake.
-
Regent Street Cinema: 309 Regent St, London W1B 2UW
-
020 7911 5050
-
Barbican Cinema: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS
-
020 7638 8891
We explain all you need to know about how to bag a cheap London Cinema ticket at some of the most luxurious cinemas in town.
7. Beat a London Heatwave by Going Out for Ice Cream
Yes, Fortnum’s does a knickerbocker glory. And the banana split at The Wolseley is practically regal. But for a luxe-on-less option, try Venchi in Covent Garden or Gelupo in Soho. Both serve takeaway gelato worthy of Rome.
-
Venchi: 18 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH
-
Gelato from £5.50
-
Gelupo: 7 Archer St, London W1D 7AU
-
020 7287 555
If you are in the mood to splurge, you can’t beat the banana split at The Wolseley, which I have rated as London’s best dessert.
8. Visit the Sky Garden (Early or Late)
Booking is free if you can plan ahead, and there’s no better place to enjoy an airconditioned leafy space while gazing over London. Try to go early morning, or late afternoon, to avoid both the heat and the tourists.
- 20 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 8AF
-
020 7337 2344
-
Free with advance booking.
9. Head to a Free Museum Late Opening
Museums like the V&A, British Museum, and Science Museum often have late-night openings (Fridays, usually) and excellent air conditioning. The V&A’s Raphael Court and John Madejski Garden are serene places to linger.
-
V&A: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
-
020 7942 2000
-
Free.
10. Hide in a Luxury Hotel Lobby
Pretend you’re waiting for a friend. Hotel lobbies such as The Standard, The Ned, or The Rosewood offer plush sofas, cold drinks and quiet cool for the price of a small coffee or cocktail.
-
The Standard: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
-
The Ned: 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
-
Rosewood London: 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN
11. Browse in a Hidden Library
The London Library is members-only, but Wellcome Collection and National Art Library (inside the V&A) are cool, underused gems for bibliophiles. No need to read—just exist.
- Wellcome Collection: 183 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BE
-
National Art Library: Inside V&A, Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL
12. Have a Chilled Cocktail with a View
Try the bar at OXO Tower, Radio Rooftop, or the more budget-friendly Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden. If you get there early, you might snag a shady table without buying a full meal.
-
Queen Elizabeth Roof Garden: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
13. Buy the Ultimate London Heatwave Kit – A £5 Handheld Fan and a Mint Facial Mist
This one’s about kit, not location. Muji, Flying Tiger, or Miniso all sell good-value handheld fans and portable misters. One well-timed blast can stop a London heatwave-induced meltdown.
-
Muji: 187 Oxford St, London W1D 2JY
-
020 7734 1979
-
Fans from £4.95
